News Release Archive

NS MUSEUM--MI'KMAQ HOST SAAMI EXHIBIT
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An exhibit about an aboriginal northern people whose culture
dates to 10,000 years ago is on display at the University College
of Cape Breton Art Gallery from Aug. 15 to Sept. 15.

Hosted by the university, the Mi'kmaq Association of Cultural
Studies and the Nova Scotia Museum, The Saami: People of the Sun
and Wind describes the environment in which the Saami live, their
history and their culture.

The Saami formerly known as Laplanders, live in a vast area of
land within the arctic circle which includes parts of Russia,
Norway, Finland and Sweden. The population is approximately
70,000. Today the territory is known as Sapmi.

Director of the Mi'kmaq Association of Cultural Studies, Dr.
Peter Christmas, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to learn
about the similarities between two aboriginal cultures, each on a
different side of the Atlantic. We have both occupied our lands
for a long time. We live close to and respect the land and our
relationships with colonizers have not always been perfect."

An exhibit, Our Mi'kmaq Family and Relations featuring the photo
collection of the Mi'kmaq Association of Cultural Studies will
complement the Saami exhibit. Included are images of grand
councils, elders and youth, traditional arts, treaties and treaty
rights. A selection of Mi'kmaq cultural artifacts, dating from
1800-1900's, from the Nova Scotia Museum collection are also on
display.

Saami: People of the Sun and Wind was produced by the Swedish
Mountain and Saami Museum in Jokkmokk, Sweden. It is supported by
the Heritage Canada's international exhibitions program and the
Government of Sweden. It has been shown at centres in the United
States including Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle. Following
its stay in Cape Breton the exhibit will be shown in Alberta.

The University of Cape Breton Art Gallery is open Monday to
Friday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Photo available by request on disc, format:
photoshop tiff.

Contact: Joan Waldron  902-424-7398

         Roy Gould     902-567-1752

trp                    August 07, 1996 - 10 a.m.